Santander to Porto

[Khalid365]

A couple of friends and I are planning a cycle to Porto from Santander using the following route in late june:


http://maps.google.c...fb76632bbaaee67

I'm posting to ask if anyone here has experience of this, or a similar route. Is it possible to do wild camping? Is the terrain very challenging?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

(Google maps was being very buggy when I made the first half of the route)

 

[psmiffy]

I did this a similar route a few years back on my way to Malaga except I stayed a little closer to the coast and went through Corruna.

I was travelling in late April and there were not a lot of campsites open - found it relatively easy to find little spots to wild camp in - weather in June will be a lot better than I had.

Terrain is easy - westerly wind was not as bad as I expected - just go for it

 

[jay clock]

Beautiful part of Spain. I have done the Porto to Santiago part. See here http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=1756&v=2j and then search that site for tons of other journals

 

[Percy]

I did exactly what you're planning but stayed on the coast until Ribadeo, then went down through Lugo/Ourense. Amazing part of the world - one of my favourites from many miles over Europe.

I wouldn't think you'll have much problem wild camping. The terrain isn't too bad either - the coastal roads are superb riding.

Incidentally, I found some of the best tapas and general bar scene in Ribadeo, so I'd recommend sticking with the coast to there if your plans aren't too fixed!

If you find Porto a little too much aftter the peace and quiet of the road (like I did), the little seaside town of Espinho is only a few miles south, and much more tranquil - well worth a visit.

 

[psmiffy]

If you find Porto a little too much aftter the peace and quiet of the road (like I did), the little seaside town of Espinho is only a few miles south, and much more tranquil - well worth a visit.

I loved Porto - traffic was very busy going in from the north - even on a Sunday - and finding a shop open for a bottle was tricky but not impossible - on my list of places to go back to - Espinho was very quiet in May but I seem to remember had a brilliant fish market - and a campsite that was open

 

[Khalid365]

I did exactly what you're planning but stayed on the coast until Ribadeo, then went down through Lugo/Ourense. Amazing part of the world - one of my favourites from many miles over Europe.

I wouldn't think you'll have much problem wild camping. The terrain isn't too bad either - the coastal roads are superb riding.

Incidentally, I found some of the best tapas and general bar scene in Ribadeo, so I'd recommend sticking with the coast to there if your plans aren't too fixed!

If you find Porto a little too much aftter the peace and quiet of the road (like I did), the little seaside town of Espinho is only a few miles south, and much more tranquil - well worth a visit.

Haha I think I based the route off a post you made in 2008 I found on google yesterday!

This is the revised route which includes Ribadeo.

http://maps.google.c...%2C8.453979&z=8

Annoyingly, while google maps saves so much time in drawing out a route which avoids motorways, it has no elevation profile option and no way to import the route into google earth to get one.

Thanks a lot for all the advice though.

 

[Percy]

Well I hope you enjoy it now - I'll feel responsible if not! The valley road from Ribadeo to Lugo is especially memorable - a great ride.

And don't worry about the elevation too much - there's nothing massive around there. And hills are part of the fun anyway!

 

[Festina_Lente]

Probably worth mentioning that wild camping is illegal in Portugal... So long as you don't get caught! And never light a fire. That region suffers terribly from forest fires.

That part of Northern Spain is to die for. Incidentally you can view the racing and the place here:http://www.rtpa.es/

Seems odd to miss Santiago though.. That part of the Galician coast down to Vigo is lovely.

Incidentally, entering Portugal via Chaves would allow you to get some amazing scenery and place in as you pass the Peneda-Gerês national park... and that road to Braga is awe inspiring.

 

[MarkF]

Great scenery in the North, my favourite part of Spain. Seems a shame to miss out the Gijon/Ovideo/Aviles triangle, wild camping is easy, it's v.quiet.

 

[alias23]

hi folks.

i'm planning to go from porto to santander this june 2012. or vice versa.

just wondering which direction is easier in terms of hill, mountains etc.

it'll be my first long trip and would prefer the easier route or perhaps there is no real difference?

thanks

tom

dublin